Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating WLAN selection by a mobile node

ABSTRACT

Apparatus, and an associated method, by which to facilitate selection of a WLAN through which a mobile node communicates. Selection takes into account the geographic positioning of the mobile node. The mobile node ascertains its geographic positioning by monitoring cellular-positioning signals. And, availability of WLANs through which to communicate is ascertained by detecting signals broadcast by the WLANs.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/853,230 filed on Sep. 11, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,929,967,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/840,190filed on May 6, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,283,507, the contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates generally to a manner by which to select aWLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) through which a mobile node, operableto communicate both by way of a WLAN and by way of a cellularcommunication network, shall become associated with the WLAN tocommunicate data pursuant to a communication session. More particularly,the present invention relates to apparatus, and an associated method, bywhich to select the WLAN based upon a preference order. The preferenceorder is position-dependent, that is to say, dependent upon the locationat which the mobile node is positioned. The position of the mobile nodeis determined from information, e.g., country-code information,broadcast to the mobile node by a cellular network. And, the informationis used by the mobile node to select the WLAN.

Positioning information is provided to the mobile node to permit WLANselection based upon the position-dependent preference order, eventhough positioning information is not provided by signals broadcast bythe WLANs. Position-dependent preferences are used in the WLAN selectionwithout need to make any changes to conventional signaling protocolsused by conventional WLANs, such as those defined in an IEEE 802.11operating protocol.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The availability of modern communication systems through which tocommunicate data is a practical necessity of modern society.Communication systems are available for use to effectuate many differenttypes of communication services in which data is communicated betweensets of communication stations to effectuate desired communicationservices.

Existing communication systems incorporate advancements in communicationtechnologies. And, new communication systems are made available as aresult of advancements in communication technologies. Generally,advancements in communication technologies improve the efficiencies ofcommunication of data, permit the data to be communicated at higherthrough-put rates, or provide better for the communication of the datain non-ideal communication conditions. Digital communication techniques,and improvements associated therewith, are amongst the communicationtechnologies that provide such communication advantages.

A radio communication system is an exemplary type of communicationsystem. Many modern radio communication systems employ the use ofdigital communication techniques. A cellular communication system is atype of radio communication system. Network infrastructures of cellularcommunication systems have been installed over significant portions ofthe populated areas of the world, and usage of cellular communicationsystems through which to communicate telephonically, already popular, isincreasing as additional communication services are increasingly able tobe effectuated by way of such systems.

The network infrastructure of an exemplary cellular communication systemgenerally includes a plurality of spaced-apart base transceiver stationsthat provide for communications with mobile stations. The mobilestations form portable radio transceivers, and the base transceiverstations each define coverage areas referred to as cells. When a mobilestation is positioned within the coverage area of a particular basetransceiver station, the mobile station is generally capable ofcommunicating with the base transceiver station in whose coverage areathat the mobile station is positioned. The mobile station is providedwith mobility and the mobile station is permitted movement between cellsdefined by different ones of the base transceiver stations.Communication handovers permit continued communications by the mobilestation with the network infrastructure as the mobile station travelsbetween the cells.

Analogous types of radio communication systems that exhibit certain ofthe characteristics of cellular communication systems have beendeveloped and deployed. So-called micro-cellular networks, privatenetworks, and WLANs (Wireless Local Area Networks) are representative ofradio communication systems that are operable, at least in variousaspects, in manners that are analogous to the operation of a cellularcommunication system. Wireless local area networks, for instance, aretechnological extensions of conventional local area networks. That is tosay, conventional local area networks, such as those that form computernetworks and wireless local area networks, generally provide for thecommunication of packet-formatted data. A mobile node that is operablein, and forms a portion of, a wireless local area network system, isanalogous to, and is sometimes functionally equivalent to, the fixednodes of a local area network. And, analogous to conventional local areanetworks, wireless local area networks are constructed to permiteffectuation of data-intensive communication services.

Wireless local area networks are generally constructed to communicatedata pursuant to an operating protocol, such as any of the IEEE802.11(a), (b), (g), and (n) operating protocols. A commercial 2.4 GHzfrequency band is allocated for WLAN communications, and an unregulatedband in the 5 GHz frequency range is also usable by WLAN systems.

The mobile nodes operable in the wireless local area networks aresometimes constructed to monitor selected frequencies within theallocated frequency bands to detect for the presence of a WLAN withincommunication range of the mobile node. Access points, or other networkelements, of the WLAN broadcast signals that are detectable by themobile nodes, when the mobile nodes are within the coverage areas of theWLAN. The signals broadcast by the WLAN and monitored by the mobilenodes typically include an SSID (Service Set Identifier) value thatidentifies the WLAN that broadcasts the signal.

More than one WLAN might be installed to provide coverage over apartially, or fully, overlapping coverage area. When a mobile node ispositioned at a location encompassed by more than one WLAN, the mobilenode might be capable of operation to communicate with any of the morethan one WLAN. A decision is made as to which of the WLANs that themobile node shall attempt to communicate. There is generally apreference to communicate by way of a certain WLAN of the availableWLANs.

The preference order of the WLANs, with respect to a particular mobilenode, is location dependent. That is to say, the preference order of theWLANs, with respect to the mobile node, is dependent also upon thelocation at which the mobile node is positioned. The determination atthe mobile node with which of the WLANs that the mobile node shallattempt to communicate is complicated as the broadcast signals broadcastby the WLANs do not identify the locations of the WLANs. Only the SSIDsare broadcast. And, the SSIDs are not necessarily unique to a particularWLAN.

For instance, a plurality of WLANs, operated by a single operator, aresometimes identified by a single SSID value. And, different ones of theWLANs operated by the operator might be located at widely disparatelocations. The relative preference of a mobile node to communicate witha WLAN, identified by an SSID, might well be different, depending uponthe location with which the mobile node is positioned when thecommunicates are to be effectuated. When the mobile node is positionedin one location, for instance, the WLAN, identified by the SSID value,might have a first level of preference. But, when the mobile node ispositioned at another location, a WLAN identified by the same SSID valuemight well have a different level of preference associated therewith.

Therefore, a single list that identifies, in order of preference, WLANs,identified by SSID values, is an inadequate manner by which to identifythrough which of the WLANs that a mobile node should attempt tocommunicate when communications are to be effectuated.

It is in light of this background information related to communicationsbetween a mobile node and a WLAN that the significant improvements ofthe present invention have evolved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, accordingly, advantageously provides apparatus,and an associated method, by which to select a network, such as a WLANof a multiple-network radio communication system, with which amulti-mode-capable mobile node communicates data during a communicationsession.

Through operation of an embodiment of the present invention, a manner isprovided by which to select the network responsive both to networkavailability and a preference order. The preference order is dependentupon the location at which the mobile node is positioned when the WLANis to be selected. That is to say, the preference order isposition-dependent.

The position of the mobile node is determined at the mobile noderesponsive to information, e.g., country code and optionally networkcode information, that is broadcast to the mobile node by a cellularcommunication network. Once delivered to the mobile node, theinformation is used by the mobile node to select which WLAN throughwhich to attempt to communicate. The position information is provided tothe mobile node to permit the WLAN selection based upon theposition-dependent preference, even though position information is notbroadcast by WLANs to the mobile node.

Thereby, position-dependent preferences are used by the mobile nodepursuant to WLAN selection, all without need to make any changes to theconventional signaling protocols used by conventional WLANs, such asthose defined in an IEEE 802.11 operating protocol.

In one aspect of the present invention, a multi-mode mobile node isoperable to communicate both by way of a cellular communication systemand by way of a WLAN. The mobile node monitors cellular-system signalsbroadcast by the network infrastructures of cellular communicationsystems in whose coverage area or areas that the mobile node is locatedwhen WLAN selection is to be made. The signals broadcast by the networkinfrastructures of the cellular communication systems include countrycode and network code designations that provide geographical indicationsof the network infrastructures from which the signals are broadcast.And, such indications also identify the geographical area at which themobile node, positioned to receive the broadcast signals, is positioned.Thereby, the mobile node ascertains positioning information associatedwith its location, and the information is used pursuant to selection ofwith which WLAN that the mobile node shall attempt to communicate.

If a cellular communication system is unavailable to provide the countrycode designation, or other geographic positioning information, GPS(Global Positioning System) information or user entry of the geographicpositioning indicia e.g. zip code, post code etc is alternately utilizedto provide the mobile node with the indications of the geographicpositioning of the mobile node. A GPS receiver, for instance, isembodied together with the circuitry of the mobile node to provide theGPS information to be used by the mobile node pursuant to WLANselection.

In another aspect of the present invention, one or more WLAN lists aremaintained at the mobile node. A WLAN list is formed of entries thatidentify WLANs together with their associated country code, or othergeographic positioning indicia, with which the mobile node is permittedto communicate. In one implementation, the mobile node maintains threetypes of lists, a home list, a preferred list, and a neutral list. Thepreferred list may be duplicated many times, one preferred list percountry. That is to say, separate preferred, and neutral, lists aremaintained in one implementation, for each country code or geographicarea. And, in one implementation, there is a single home list, singlepreferred list and a single neutral list, with the country codefollowing each WLAN. Here, the home list does not need the country code,since home network is home network. The home network, if desired, isfurther split into “home-owned” and “home-connected”.

The preferred list has, for each WLAN entry, the country codes wherethat WLAN is in the preferred list. If the UE is in a country notlisted, then that WLAN is not preferred. And, in a furtherimplementation, for each country, the VPLMNs that that WLAN connects toin that country are further identified.

The neutral list is similar, either just having the country listed foreach WLAN entry, or the country and VPLMN for each country.

WLANs are identified by their SSIDs (Service Set Identifiers). Once thegeographic positioning indicia associated with the location of themobile node, i.e., the country code designation, is ascertained, a WLANlist is accessed. The country code, or other geographic positioningindicia, ascertained by the mobile node, is compared with country codesassociated with the WLANs contained in the list. And, the SSIDs of theWLANs forming the entries in the list that are indexed together with theidentified country code are retrieved. A determination is made as towhether the WLANs contained in the list and associated with thedesignated country code are available through which to communicate. Ifso, a WLAN so-designated becomes the selected WLAN through whichcommunications are attempted. If communications cannot be effectuatedwith the selected WLAN, another WLAN, also designated with the countrycode corresponding to the country code ascertained by the mobile node isselected. In an implementation in which multiple WLAN lists aremaintained, the lists identify different preferences of WLANs. Forinstance, in one implementation, the first WLAN list forms a home list,a second list forms a preferred list, and a third list forms a neutrallist. The home list is first accessed. If no WLAN can be selected fromthe home list, the preferred list is accessed. And, if no WLAN isavailable at the preferred list, the neutral list is accessed.

In a further aspect of the present invention, in the event that no WLANis identified on the WLAN list that is associated with the ascertainedcountry code or communications cannot be effectuated with any suchidentified WLAN, a preferred roaming list (PRL) used by the mobile nodein operation pursuant to the cellular communication system is utilizedby which to select the WLAN through which to attempt to communicate. Asmentioned previously, the operator of a cellular communication systemsometimes maintains associations with operators of WLANs. The preferredroaming list identifies cellular communication systems with which themobile node is permitted to communicate. By identifying the cellularcommunication systems with which the mobile node is permitted tocommunicate, together with their preferences, a determination is furthermade of with which WLANs that the mobile node should communicate in theevent that no available WLANs are identified on the WLAN list maintainedat the mobile node.

Thereby, the mobile node selects a WLAN through which to communicateeven though the WLANs do not broadcast country code information as partof their broadcast signaling.

In these and other aspects, therefore, apparatus, and an associatedmethod, is provided for a radio communication system. The radiocommunication system has a mobile node that is selectably operable tocommunicate data with a selected network of a first group of firstnetworks. The first networks of the first group of networks are operablepursuant to a first communication scheme. And, the radio communicationsystem further has a second group of second networks. The secondnetworks are operable pursuant to at least a second communicationscheme. A second-network detector is embodied at the mobile node and isadapted to receive indications of second-network signals broadcast by atleast selected ones of the second networks. The second network signalscontain second-network indicia that identifies geographic positioning ofthe second networks from which the second network signals are broadcast.The second-network detector detects values of the second network indiciacontained in the second-network signals. Detection of the second-networkindicia is indicative also of the geographic positioning of the mobilenode. A first network detector is also embodied at the mobile node. Thefirst network detector is adapted to receive indications offirst-network signals that are broadcast by at least selected ones ofthe first networks. The first-network signals contain first-networkidentifying indicia that identifies the first networks from which thefirst-network signals are broadcast. The first-network detectorselectably detects values of the first-network identifying indicia.Detection of the first-network identifying indicia is indicative also ofwhich of the first networks are potentially available through which tocommunicate. A selector is adapted to receive indications of detectionsmade by the first network detector and indications of detections made bythe second network detector. The selector selects the selected networkthrough which to effectuate the communication of the data.

A more complete appreciation of the present invention and the scopethereof can be obtained from the accompanying drawings that are brieflysummarized below, the following detailed description of thepresently-preferred embodiments of the present invention, and theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of a radio communicationsystem in which an embodiment of the present invention is operable.

FIG. 2 illustrates a process diagram representative of exemplaryoperation of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process diagram representative of operation of afurther embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method flow diagram representative of the method ofoperation of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIG. 1, a radio communication system, shown generallyat 10, operates to provide for the communication of data pursuant todata communication services with mobile nodes, of which the mobile node12 is representative. Data is communicated between the mobile node andthe network infrastructure by way of radio channels defined upon anappropriate radio air interface extending between the mobile node andthe network infrastructure.

In the exemplary implementation, the mobile node forms at least a dualmode device. That is to say, the mobile node is separately operablepursuant to at least two separate communication schemes. Here, themobile node is operable in a first mode to communicate generally inconformity with the operating protocols promulgated in the IEEE802.11(b), or variant thereof, operating specification. When in thisfirst mode, the mobile node is capable of communicating withconventional WLANs (Wireless Local Area Networks). And, the mobile nodeis also operable to communicate pursuant to a conventional cellularcommunication scheme, such as a communication scheme proposed pursuantto the 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project). In otherimplementations, the mobile node is operable pursuant to othercommunication schemes. For example, the IEEE 802.11(a), (g) or (n)standards or the operating protocols set forth in other cellularcommunication system operating specifications. Accordingly, while thedescription shall describe exemplary operation of the communicationsystem in which the mobile node 12 is operable pursuant to an IEEE802.11(b) operating specification and pursuant to a 3GPP-definedcommunication system, description of exemplary operation of anembodiment of the present invention can similarly be described withrespect to an implementation in which the mobile node is operable tocommunicate pursuant to other communication standards.

The network part of the communication system includes a plurality ofnetworks 14. The networks 14 are here designated in terms of theirnetwork definitions defined in terms of the designations used from theperspective of the mobile node 12. The identifications of the networks14 defined in terms of their designations used by other mobile nodesmight differ with the designations shown in the figure. The networks,and their interrelationships, are exemplary. And, when the mobile nodeis positioned at another location, the networks of the network part inwhose coverage area that the mobile node is positioned would also likelybe different than that shown in the figure.

The mobile node 12 is associated with a home network 14-1, a cellularcommunication system network that, typically, encompasses a coveragearea in which the mobile node 12 is most regularly positioned. The homenetwork 14-1 is operated by a home network operator. The home networkoperator that operates the home network 14-1 also operates the WLAN14-2, here identified as WLAN2. That is to say, the same operatoroperates both a cellular network 14-1 and a wireless local area network,network 14-2. Further arrangements are also permitted. For instance, aWLAN could also be associated with a home network.

Three visited networks, networks 14-3, 14-4, and 14-5, are also shown inthe figure. These networks are also cellular communication systemnetworks and are representative of networks into whose coverage areasthat the mobile node might roam when the mobile node roams beyond itshome network. The visited network 14-3 is operated by a networkoperator, and the visited network 14-4 is operated by another networkoperator. The operator of the home network maintains associations withthe operators of the visited networks 14-3 and 14-4, and theassociations are represented by the lines 16 extending between thenetwork 14-1 and the networks 14-3 and 14-4, respectively. And, anadditional visited network 14-5 is further shown in the figure. Thevisited network also is a cellular system network. The home networkoperator does not maintain an association with an operator of thevisited network.

The network part of the communication system additionally includes WLANs14-6, 14-7, and 14-8. Here, in the exemplary arrangement shown in thefigure, the mobile node is positioned within the coverage areas of eachof the four WLANs, that is, WLANs 14-2, 14-6, 14-7, and 14-8. And, thelocation at which the mobile node is positioned is further encompassedby the visited networks 14-3, 14-4, and 14-5, but not the home network14-1.

When positioned within the coverage areas of the WLANs and the visitednetworks, the mobile node is within reception range of signals broadcastby the respective ones of the networks. The broadcast signals, broadcastby the WLANs include the SSID (Service Set Identifier) values of theWLANs. As noted previously, the signals broadcast by the WLANs do notidentify geographic positioning of the networks. However, the cellularsystem networks broadcast country codes that identify the geographicorigins of the broadcast signals and, hence, the locations of thenetworks and, in turn, the geographic positioning of the mobile node,positioned to receive the signals broadcast by the cellular systemnetworks. Here, also, associations are maintained between the networkoperators of the networks 14-3 and 14-4, respectively, with the networkoperator of the WLAN 14-6. The associations are indicated by the arrows18. And, the visited network 14-5 maintains association with the WLANs14-2 and 14-7, here indicated by way of the lines 20. And, none of thecellular system networks maintain associations with the operator of theWLAN 14-8.

The arrows 22 represent signals broadcast by the WLANs and that aredetectable by the mobile node 12. The signals broadcast by the WLANsidentify the respective local area networks by their service setidentifier values.

The arrows 24 are representative of signals broadcast by the cellularsystem networks that are also detectable by the mobile node. Thecellular-system network broadcasts include the country code indicationsthat indicate to the mobile node its geographic position.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 1 illustrates that the mobile node ispositionable at a location encompassed by the coverage areas of morethan one WLAN. And, when communications are to be effectuated by way ofa WLAN, the mobile node must determine through which of the WLANs thatthe mobile node shall communicate. Communications by way of one WLANmight be preferred over another, and certain of the WLANs might not bepermitted to be used through which to communicate. The preference ispotentially also location-dependent, as noted previously. As the sameSSID value might identify more than one WLAN, the order of preference ofthe WLAN might differ depending upon in which location that the WLAN ispositioned when a selection is to be made.

The mobile node includes radio transceiver circuitry, here formed of areceive part 28, and a transmit part 32 that operates to communicate byway of the network part of the communication system. The mobile nodefurther includes apparatus 34 of an embodiment of the present invention.The apparatus 34 operates to facilitate selection of with which of theWLANs that the mobile node attempts to communicate. The apparatus 34 isformed of functional entities, implementable in any desired manner, suchas, for instance, by algorithms executable by processing circuitry.

The apparatus includes detectors 35 and 36 that are each coupled to thereceive part 28 of the mobile node. The detector 35 operates to detectcountry code values contained in signals 24 broadcast by thecellular-system networks and detected at the receive part of the mobilenode. And, the detector 36 operates to detect SSID (Service SetIdentifier) that are contained in the signals 22 broadcast by the WLANsand detected at the receive part 28.

Indications of detections made by the detectors 35 and 36 are providedto a selector 38. The selector is thereby provided with indications bothof the geographic positioning of the mobile node and the identities ofthe WLANs that are available, that is, in whose coverage areas that themobile node is positioned. Lines 42 and 44 also extend to the selector38. Lines 42 and 44 are representative of alternate manners by which theselector is provided with geographic positioning information associatedwith the mobile node. Inputs provided on the line 42 are provided by aGPS receiver (not shown) and inputs provided by way of the lines 44 aregenerated by a user interface (also not shown) in which a user of themobile node manually inputs geographic positioning information.

The apparatus 34 further includes first, second, and third lists 46, 48,and 52, respectively. Each of the lists are formed of entries 54identifying WLANs and their geographic areas of operation, identified bycountry code values in which the associated WLAN is operable. Here, thelist 46 forms a home WLAN list, the list 48 forms a preferred WLAN list,and the list 52 forms a neutral WLAN list. In one implementation,separate preferred and neutral lists are maintained for each country.

When the selector is to select a WLAN through which the mobile node isto communicate, the selector first accesses the entries contained on thelist 46. Entries identifying WLANs associated with country codesdetected by the detector 35 are compared with the SSID values detectedby the detector 36. If a match is found, a WLAN from the list 46 isselected through which to attempt to communicate. If no match is found,the same procedure is repeated with the list 48 and, if no entry isfound at the list 48, the list 52 is accessed, and the selector selectsa WLAN therefrom, if possible.

In the event that none of the WLANs located on any of the lists areassociated with the country codes detected by the detector 35, theselector accesses a preferred roaming list (PRL) 56 that is maintainedat the mobile node to identify allowable cellular-system networks withwhich the mobile node is permitted to communicate as the mobile nodedetects signals broadcast by the cellular-system network in whosecoverage area that the mobile node is positioned. The mobile node isaware of the available cellular-system networks and, through thepreferred roaming list, the relative order of preferences of suchnetworks. And, as the network operators of the different networkspotentially maintain associations therebetween, the selector selects aWLAN associated with a preferred cellular-system network and in whosecoverage area that the mobile node is positioned by virtue of detectionof the signals 22. Through appropriate operation of a user interface,suggestions are provided to the user for selection.

Thereby, a WLAN is selected by the mobile node through which to attemptto communicate. The selection is made based upon the geographicpositioning of the mobile node, identified through detection of thecountry code broadcast by the cellular-system networks.

Turning next to FIG. 2, a process diagram, shown generally at 72,represents a manner by which a mobile node, such as the mobile node 12shown in FIG. 1, determines its geographic positioning pursuant tooperation of an embodiment of the present invention. Here, in theexemplary implementation, the country code that identifies the countrythat the mobile node is positioned is determined.

The process begins at the step 74 identified as “Determine Country”. Adetermination is first made, as indicated by the decision block 76, asto whether the mobile node (identified as UE-User Equipment-in thefigure) is registered with, or otherwise on a cellular-system network.If so, the yes branch is taken to the block 78, and the country code isascertained from signals broadcast by the cellular-system network, herefrom the MCC (Mobile Country Code) contained in the broadcast signalsthat identify the country in which the cellular-system network islocated.

Otherwise, the no branch is taken to the decision block 82 and adetermination is made as to whether cellular-system networks areavailable. If so, the yes branch is taken to the block 84, and themobile node scans channels to detect broadcasts of cellular-systemsignals. When a signal is found, the country code contained in thesignal is ascertained and a path is taken to the block 78.

If, at the decision block 82, a determination is made that the mobilenode is not positioned at an area at which the mobile node is capable ofreceiving cellular-system signals, the no branch is taken to thedecision block 86. At the decision block 86, a determination is made asto whether the mobile node includes a GPS (Global Positioning System)receiver or otherwise is capable of obtaining GPS-like positioninginformation. If so, the yes branch is taken to the block 88 and thegeographic position of the mobile node is determined from the GPSinformation.

If, the mobile node is unable to obtain GPS-like information, the nobranch is taken to the block 92, and the country code information isobtained by user entry of the information by way of a user interface, orthe like. Paths are taken by the block 78, 88, and 92 to the continueblock 94.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process diagram, shown generally at 102,representative of additional operation of a mobile node pursuant to anembodiment of the present invention. The procedure commences at theSTART block 104 by which to select a WLAN through which to attempt tocommunicate. First, and as indicated by the block 72, the country codeassociated with the geographic area in which the mobile node ispositioned is determined. Exemplary procedures by which to determine thecountry code are set forth in FIG. 2, described above.

Once the country code has been determined, a path is taken to the block108, and lists maintained at the mobile node are accessed to attempt toselect a WLAN through which to communicate. Here, three lists aremaintained at the mobile node, a home list, a preferred list, and aneutral list.

A path is then taken to the block 112, and further steps are carried outin the event that the lists accessed at the operation 108 are unable toselect a WLAN through which to communicate, a determination is made ofwhich cellular-system networks, here 3GPP networks, are availablethrough which to communicate. Associations between operators ofavailable 3GPP networks and WLANs is ascertained. A WLAN is selectedtherefrom, and indications of the WLAN, together with its associatedcountry code, is added to an appropriate list maintained at the mobilenode. Thereafter, and as indicated by the block 116, a most-preferredWLAN is selected through which to attempt to communicate. And, asindicated by the block 118, the mobile node becomes registered with theselected WLAN.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method flow diagram, shown generally at 122,representative of operation of an embodiment of the present invention.The method facilitates selection of a network of a multiple networkradio communication system with which a mobile node shall communicate. Anetwork part of the communication system is formed of multiple networksincluding a first group of networks operable pursuant to a firstcommunication scheme and a second group of networks pursuant to a secondcommunication scheme.

First, and as indicated by the block 124, values of second-networkindicia contained in second-network signals broadcast by at least secondones of the networks of the second group are detected. Thesecond-network indicia identifies geographic positioning of the networksfrom which the second-network signals are broadcast.

And, as indicated by the block 126, values of first-network identifyingindicia contained in network signals broadcast by networks of the firstgroup are detected. The network identifying indicia identify thenetworks from which the signals are broadcast.

Then, and as indicated by the block 128, selection is made of whichnetwork through which to effectuate communication of data.

Through operation of an embodiment of the present invention, a WLAN isselected through which to communicate, taking into account geographicindications, even though the WLANs do not provide geographic positioningindicia to a mobile node. Improved selection is thereby possible.

The previous descriptions are of preferred examples for implementing theinvention, and the scope of the invention should not necessarily belimited by this description. The scope of the present invention isdefined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for facilitating wireless networkselection of a first-type wireless network at a user equipment, saidmethod comprising: detecting, at the user equipment,second-type-wireless-network-transmitted location information thatincludes at least one of a country code designation and a network codedesignation of a second-type wireless network, wherein the second-typewireless network operates according to a technology different from atechnology of the first-type wireless network; maintaining a networklist of at least first-type wireless networks at the user equipment, thenetwork list identifying the at least first-type wireless networks andrespective associated location information, each respective associatedlocation information identifying a geographic area of operation of arespective at least one of the first-type wireless networks, wherein thelocation information of the network list comprisessecond-type-wireless-network location information; detecting, at theuser equipment, first-type-wireless-network-identifying information;selecting, at the user equipment, a first-type wireless network fromamong the first-type wireless networks identified by the network listwith which to communicate, the selecting made utilizing thesecond-type-wireless-network-transmitted location information, thenetwork list of the at least first-type wireless networks and theassociated second-type-wireless-network location information, and thefirst-type-wireless-network-identifying information.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 wherein said maintaining comprises maintaining a home wirelessnetwork list.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the home wireless networklist comprises entries that identify first-type wireless networks andassociated geographic areas of operation.
 4. The method of claim 1wherein said maintaining comprises maintaining a preferred network list.5. The method of claim 4 wherein the preferred network list comprisesentries that identify first-type wireless networks and associatedgeographic areas of operation.
 6. The method of claim 4 wherein saidmaintaining comprises maintaining more than one preferred network list.7. The method of claim 1 wherein said maintaining comprises maintaininga neutral network list.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the neutralnetwork list comprises entries that identify first-type wirelessnetworks and associated geographic areas of operation.
 9. The method ofclaim 7 wherein said maintaining comprises maintaining more than oneneutral network list.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein said maintainingcomprises maintaining a plurality of network lists, each network listassociated with a different location.
 11. The method of claim 1 whereinthe second-type-wireless-network-transmitted location information isdetected responsive to a channel scan.
 12. The method of claim 1,wherein the first-type wireless networks identified by the network listinclude wireless local area networks (WLANs).
 13. The method of claim12, wherein the second-type wireless network is a cellular wirelessnetwork.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected first-typewireless network operates according to a communication protocoldifferent from a communication protocol of the second-type wirelessnetwork.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the country code designationof the second-type-wireless-network-transmitted location informationspecifies a country code associated with the second-type wirelessnetwork.
 16. An apparatus for facilitating wireless network selection ofa first-type wireless network at a user equipment, said apparatuscomprising: a location information detector embodied at the userequipment and configured to detectsecond-type-wireless-network-transmitted location information thatincludes at least one of a country code designation and a network codedesignation of a second-type wireless network, wherein the second-typewireless network operates according to a technology different from atechnology of the first-type wireless network; a network list of atleast first-type wireless networks maintained at the user equipment, thenetwork list identifying the at least first-type wireless networks andrespective associated location information, each respective associatedlocation information identifying a geographic area of operation of arespective at least one of the first-type wireless networks, wherein thelocation information of the network list comprises second-type-wirelessnetwork location information; a network-identifier detector configuredto detect at the user equipment first-type-wireless-network-identifyinginformation; and a selector embodied at the user equipment andconfigured to select a first-type wireless network from among thefirst-type wireless networks identified by the network list with whichto communicate, the selecting made utilizing the second-type-wirelessnetwork-transmitted location information, the network list of the atleast first-type wireless networks and the associatedsecond-type-wireless network location information, and thefirst-type-wireless-network-identifying information.
 17. The apparatusof claim 16 wherein said network list maintained at the user equipmentcomprises a home wireless network list including entries that identifyfirst-type wireless networks and associated geographic areas ofoperation.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said network listmaintained at the user equipment comprises a preferred network listcomprising entries that identify first-type wireless networks andassociated geographic areas of operation.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16wherein said network list maintained at the user equipment comprises aneutral network list comprising entries that identify first-typewireless networks and associated geographic areas of operation.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 16, wherein the first-type wireless networksidentified by the network list include wireless local area networks(WLANs).
 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the second-type wirelessnetwork is a cellular wireless network.
 22. The apparatus of claim 16,wherein the selected first-type wireless network operates according to acommunication protocol different from a communication protocol of thesecond-type wireless network.
 23. A user equipment comprising: a networklist identifying at least first-type wireless networks and respectiveassociated location information, each respective associated locationinformation identifying a geographic area of operation of a respectiveat least one of the first-type wireless networks, wherein the locationinformation of the network list comprises second-type-wireless networklocation information; at least one processor configured to: detectsecond-type-wireless-network-transmitted location informationtransmitted by a second-type wireless network and that includes at leastone of a country code designation and a network code designation of thesecond-type wireless network, wherein the second-type wireless networkoperates according to a communication protocol different from acommunication protocol of the first-type wireless networks; detectfirst-type-wireless-network-identifying information; and select afirst-type wireless network from among the first-type wireless networksidentified by the network list with which to communicate, the selectingbased on the second-type-wireless network-transmitted locationinformation, the network list of the at least first-type wirelessnetworks and the associated second-type-wireless network locationinformation, and the first-type-wireless-network-identifyinginformation.
 24. The user equipment of claim 23, wherein the first-typewireless networks identified by the network list include wireless localarea networks (WLANs).
 25. The user equipment of claim 24, wherein thesecond-type wireless network is a cellular wireless network.